PANCREATIC BIOPSY CANCER RESEARCH

pancreatic biopsy cancer research :
The commonest reason for biopsy of the pancreas is in patients presenting with obstructive jaundice due to a mass in the head of the gland. A fineneedle technique enables the mass to be accessed through the stomach and left lobe of liver without complications. However an 18G needle biopsy is advisable to reduce false-negative results due to the well-known situation of a carcinoma being associated with an element of peripheral inflammation.

Pancreatic biopsies are often better performed under CT control, particularly when lesions are small, patients big and/or the lesion is difficult to identify with ultrasound. In those patients with negative biopsies very often interval CT scans are performed to see if the lesion is static or progressive.

The development of ultrasound-guided minimally invasive procedures, incorporating diagnostic biopsy, therapeutic drainage and treatment techniques, has developed significantly over the last decade and is now accepted practice, in many circumstances being used in isolation as a definitive treatment, and in others in conjunction with other radiological or surgical options. These minimally invasive methods are advantageous, with lower patient mortality and morbidity, increased patient acceptability, and are economically beneficial.

The relative speed and ease with which these procedures can be carried out have resulted in a reduction of the diagnostic laparotomy and more prompt and appropriate patient treatment. Whilst both ultrasound and CT may be used for many of these procedures, in general, ultrasound is often the first-line method as it is effective in the vast majority, generally more accessible, and does not carry a radiation risk. Clearly, the choice of technique will depend upon the experience of the individual, machine availability and the site and depth of the lesion.